Switch and back-stop for pneumatic tubes



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I 13. A. FORDYGE. YSWITGH AND'BAGK STOP FOR PNEUMATIC TUBES.

No. 599,557. Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2.

E. A. PORDYGE. SWITCH AND BACK STOP FOR PNEUMATIC TUBES.

Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

' of the tube A and above the opening therein.

- through slots in the plate D and in the wall gers have hubs E F, which are pivoted upon carriers coming through the branch 0. The

FFICE.

EDMOND A.'FORDYOE,. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH AND BACK-STOP FOR PNEUMATIQTUBES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,557, dated February 22, 1898.

Application filed $eptember 11, 1896- T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDMOND A. FoRDYcE, of Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches and Back-Stops for Pneumatic Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for controlling the passage of carriers through a pneumatic tube; and the object of the invention is to provide a switch-box and back-stop whereby carriers traversing the main tube and carriers inserted through a branch or switch of the main tube are prevented from interference with each other.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section; Fig. 2, a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig; 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

In the drawings, let A represent the main tube, and B a switch box or housing mounted over an aperture to in the body of the main tube and having a branch 0 delivering thereto. Within the switch box or housing is arranged a curved plate D, forming with the front wall of the switch-box a chute for the plate D preferably terminates above the plane Protruding into the chute and into the maintube spaces are triggers or back-stop levers E F. The bodies of these triggers project of the tube A. At the outer ends these trigshafts G and H, which may be secured to or formed with the boX B. A link I connects these two shafts, and nuts g h confine the link upon the ends of the shafts. The link and nuts are simply used to increase the rigidity of the structure and support the outer ends of the shafts. Mounted upon the shafts G H are latches J K, having locking-lugs j is upon the sides of their outer ends. The triggers or backstop arms are controlled by springs M N and the latches are controlled by springs O P. The front edges of the hubs are provided with ratchet-teeth f g, with which the lugs on the latches engage.

Q represents a bumper against which the hubs of the stop-arms and the'latches contact in certain positions. The hubs have pins R Serial No. 605,490. (No model.)

S, which contact with the latches in certain positions of the parts.

The operation of the device is as follows: Supposing it be desired to insert a carrier into the main tube through the branch, as the carrier descends through tube 0 it will strike the arm E, rocking it upon its pivot and tension- ,ing its spring N, the arm E having a sufficient swing to permit the'carrier to pass. This movement of the arm E will carry its latch down into engagement with one of the ratchetteeth on the arm F, thus locking the latter and arresting any carriers which may be passing through the main tube toward the switch. During this movement latch K is held out of engagement with the ratchet-teeth on the hub of arm E by pin S on the hub F. As soon as the carrier passes into the main tube from the branch the spring N will return the arm E to its normal position. A carrier passing through the main tube raises back-stop F, carrying its latch into engagement with a ratchet-tooth of arm E, thus locking saidarm against movement, and as the arm F returns to its normal position by the pull of its spring M its pin S will disengage the latch K.

If carriers pass from the branch and through the main tube toward the point of the switch at the same time and strike the back-stops simultaneously, both back-stop arms will of course be actuated; but it will be seen that the arm F has a single ratchet-tooth on its hub, while the arm E has a series of ratchetteeth on its hub. Hence when the arm F is struck and carried past the point of engagement with its latch it will yield and permit the passage of the carrier through the main tube, while the arm E under these circum-.

with the other arm whereby when either of the arms is rocked upon its pivot by the passage of a carrier the other arm is locked in position to arrest a carrier, substantially as described.

2. A back-stop device comprising in combination with a main tube and a branch thereof, pivoted arms projected respectively into the main tube and the branch, springs normally holding said arms in position to close the passage, pivoted latches, springs for controlling said latches whereby said latches are engaged with the stop-arms to maintain the latter in locked position and projections on said arms whereby said latches are released as the arms are returned to their normal posit-ion, substantially as described. 

